Halloween: Joico Colour Butters + Instatint

This year I've been experimenting with my hair colour by bleaching the ends and testing out a range of semi-permanent hair colours from Loreal to Crazy Colours and now I have a few more to try which would be perfect for halloween - it's tomorrow! You might be able to get these products in a salon near you or if you order with next day delivery *fingers crossed you can*.

I was very kindly sent a range of products from Joico including a couple of new releases including the *Joico Colour Butters (£14.95), *Joico Color Intensity and the *Joico Instatint to test out. I received the black, mauve quartz, purple, green, blue and titanium shades.

*Joico Color Intensity Metallic Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Mauve Quartz 

This is the item within the amazing package that I was most excited about, mainly because the packaging looks almost rose gold and I want pinky, rose gold hair! It might not turn out that way but I'm hoping it will; it's going to be the product I use next on my hair. It is the bestselling expressive color line in the US and the colour will last for up to 20 washes.

It contains a nourishing formula including Kukui Nut Oil and K-Pak's exclusive Quadramine Complex for healthy looking hair after each use. There are a couple of new shades to this line and they all look amazing so I can't wait to try the Mauve Quartz shade on my bleached ends! Follow me on Instagram or Twitter to see the results.

*Joico Instatint Temporary Hair Colour Shimmer Spray 

I've tried a few coloured hair sprays in the past, mainly in the 90's as I wasn't allowed to dye my hair and they were always so disappointing! I have the Light Purple and Titanium shades, both of which contain the bio-advanced peptide complex. I'm not really a fan of the Light Purple shade but the Titanium shade is far better - the Titanium shade isn't as pigmented but it contains more visible shimmer and looks so pretty on the blue sections of my hair!

*Joico Color Butter (£14.95)

The first product I tested out was one of the new Color Butters in the Blue shade! I did bleach the ends of my hair twice before using these products and I think they will only work on natural or pre-lightened hair (from platinum to dark blondes). The color butters contain Kukui Nut Oil, Shea Butter, Arginine, Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex and the Quadramine Complex. Arginine is an amino acid that is responsible for the ability of your hair to stretch rather than break so it's the perfect ingredient to include.

The color butters are a combination of a thick hair treatment and a semi-permanent hair colour! I've only tried the blue shade so far but I cannot wait to try the Titanium shade! The color butter is incredibly easy to apply as it's so thick, it doesn't have an awful/strong scent and it's super quick to develop. I only left this colour on my hair for about four minutes and the colour was so vibrant and bold, I love it! I just wish that I'd been careful and patient with my application as there were still blonde sections showing though.  I've washed my hair a couple of times since applying it as the colour has faded a little bit it's still vibrant and gorgeous. I cannot recommend the color butters enough!

Have you tried any of these products or others from Joico? Have you tried any semi-permanent hair dyes? 

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Joico K-Pak Colour Therapy

I tend to think that I look after my hair well with masks and oils, I also never really use heat on my hair but one area I always overlook is colour protection. I have been colouring my hair every shade of red and brunette under the sun since I was about 16 but I hardly ever use specific colour protection products...oops! Colour protection is really important, especially during the summer! I was very kindly sent a range of products from Joico, a brand I've wanted to try for years, which are specially designed to strengthen and protect the colour from fading as quickly.

*Joico K-Pak Colour Therapy Shampoo (RRP £14.45, 300ml)

The  shampoo claims to 'heal' damaged hair, improve elasticity and shine as well as helping to prevent fading. I love the packaging and the scent; the shampoo lathers well and when rinsed out it leaves my hair smooth and completely detangled, even before conditioner. I haven't been using the products long enough to notice any anti-colour fading results but I am going to be colouring my hair red next week so hopefully these products will help! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Joico K-Pak Colour Therapy Conditioner (RRP £15.45, 300ml)

My hair is naturally quite dry, especially the ends, but even more so since colouring my hair for years  so I always need good conditioner and I'm loving this one! It has the same fantastic packaging and pleasant scent as the shampoo. I don't usually use a matching set of haircare products so it's nice to use a matching pair. The conditioner is just want I look for, it's moisturising and smoothing as well as an amazing detangler but it doesn't weight my hair down. I also received the *Joico K-Pak Revitalise Bio-Advanced Treatment which I haven't been able to use yet but I'll update this post when I do. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Joico? What haircare products do you use in the summer months?

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Festival Beauty Picks ft. Joico + Osmo

With summer here and festival season approaching, today's post is all about the festival and general summer beauty products that would be perfect for the season. I was very kindly sent a range of gorgeous festival essentials from Joico (surprise blogger mail always makes my day, thanks!) as well as products from Osmo, Nanogen, Twist & Spritz and Rubis Switzerland.

*Joico Instatint Temporary Hair Colour (£5.05 each)

I've tried these temporary hair colour sprays from Joico previously and loved them so I'm glad I have more in other colours. They are so quick and easy to use, if a touch messy and they have great pigmentation on blonde hair - I used them on my dip dyed blonde ends last year. They are great for festivals are they are only temporary and they wash out in just one wash. If you're looking for temporary hair colour for an upcoming festival then look no further. The colours butters would also be amazing as they're the best semi-permanent hair dyes I've ever tried!

*Joico Moisture Recovery Trio Travel Set (£12.30)

Minis and sample sizes are ideal for summer holidays, weekend breaks and festivals and Joico have a fantastic travel set that is ideal for dry hair types, as mine is. The set contains the fantastic moisture recovery shampoo, conditioner and the liquid to powder texturizing finisher, all of which are decent 50ml sizes.

I've tried the moisture recovery range from Joico a while ago and loved the range so I know this set would be great for an upcoming weekend away. My hair is perpetually dry, apart from the roots so this range is ideal for me. I haven't tried the texturing finisher yet but it definitely sounds intriguing!

As far as I knew, Joico was only a haircare brand but they do seem to have a couple of makeup and beauty items in their range too although I don't think that they can be bought individually. The nail polish can be purchased as part of the Joico Moisture Recovery and Nail Varnish Bundle if you're interested. Additionally they have a lip butter in the range and I have the raspberry flavour; it seems to be a dupe of the EOS balms and it's pretty good! I need a lip balm all year round especially in winter but it's also important to use the during the summer too. Thanks so much to the lovely people at Joico and AJC PR for the amazing festival bundle!

*Rosehip Plus Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil (£25, 30ml)

We all know the benefits of coconut oil but what about rosehip oil, it's grown in the Andes mountains in Chile and extracted without using heat or chemicals so it guarantees the purity and quality of the oil. It contains antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins (A, C and E) as well a omega 3, 6 and 9. It can be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, soften and moisturise the skin, minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the appearance of dry and sensitive skin so it's a great all rounder.

The oil would be great as a face and body oil in once, so you don't have to take two products, it would also be great as a cuticle oil, stretch mark treatment and to drier areas of the body such as knees and elbows. I think it's a great, natural multi-use product that is also suitable for vegans and cruelty free!

*Twist & Spritz Refillable Perfume Atomizer (£10)

Now onto one of my favourite items from this post as it's something that I have in my handbag most of the time as it's an atomiser. I love to take my fragrances on the go with me and the only travel friendly way to do that is to either use fragrance samples or to use a perfume atomiser. Fragrance atomisers are so incredibly handy, very easy to use and they are travel friendly so they'd be ideal to keep in your handbag, suitcase, backpack or in your work desk for easy, discreet fragrance touch ups throughout the day.

I have the black version but I was also sent a glittery pink option a while ago and that's the one that has been most constantly in my handbag. I've used it for so long that I would definitely purchase one in the future if mine ever broke as it's just very handy! You don't have to worry about having a huge glass perfume bottle in your bag or that it will leak. There are so many colour options and styles to choose from and I think they'd be a handbag essential for so many, especially during the summer and festival season.

*Rubis Switzerland Tweezers (£32)

Next up is another long term favourite and essential for me as it's the amazing Rubis Tweezers! I have the gorgeous rose gold version that I've been using for months. Now I have the equally as pretty silver version. Rubis Switzerland is a luxury brand, hence the price and it definitely shows in the product too as they're quite heavy and incredibly well made. They are very durable, sturdy and some of the most effective tweezers I've ever used. Tweezers are such a ordinary daily essential but so many pairs are just ineffective and flimsy; however these are fantastic and I cannot recommend them enough - I know they're a little pricy but honestly, they're worth every penny particularly considering how often they're used.

*Crazy Colour Semi-Permanent Hair Colour Cream - Neon UV Reactive Shades

Last spring I tested out a couple of pinky shades from Crazy Colour and I loved the pink one so I was excited when these new shades arrived from Crazy Colour (surprise blogger mail is the best!). I was kindly sent four but sadly the pretty green shade exploded in transit! Crazy Colour dyes are incredibly quick and easy to apply to bleached ends, as I had, and they're temporary so they only last between one and three washes or at least, that's how long they lasted in my hair. They are very inexpensive and perfect for festivals!

*Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray - Sun Damage Protection (£12.95)

Now onto a few more haircare items, the first being a root boosting spray that thickens, lifts and helps to minimise colour fading and the signs of sun damage. Nanogen is a brand that I've heard great things about but it isn't a brand I've tried much from; their original root boosting spray doesn't contain sun protection but this new edition does so it's wonderful for the summer months as it isn't just your skin that needs sun protection. I love the packaging for this spray, it's so photogenic!

The spray is heat activated and claims to add instant thickness and volume while containing keratin and niacinamide to help care for your scalp. It definitely does help to boost volume which is something my very thick, very long hair doesn't have often so I'll definitely be using this throughout the summer months, especially because of the added sun protection.

*Osmo Intensive Deep Repair Mask

Speaking of looking after your hair, hair masks should be year round essentials but I am guilty of forgetting to use them especially during the summer. The Osmo mask is a nourishing treatment for severely damaged hair: mine thankfully isn't very damaged but I have been dying it for years and I do occasionally use heat on my hair so a deep treatment every so often is definitely needed. The mask, admittedly, doesn't have the nicest scent but it is very effective. It would be a perfect post-festival or post-holiday treatment!

*Osmo Matt Salt Spray Mattifying Texturizer 

Beachy summer hair is the most effortless option for a festival and to help create that there's nothing better than a salt spray! I've tried a couple of them years ago but this one seems to be the least crunchy and heavy. I have very long hair so it isn't the most ideal length for something like this but it does add some texture and definition to the ends of my hair.

*Osmo Blinding Shine Illuminating Finisher 

Last but not least is a great finishing spray for shiny, healthy looking hair. I'm loving the packaging of all the Osmo products I was kindly sent recently! The shine spray contains moringa oil to nourish the hair and add a high gloss shine for a vibrant, sleek finish. As with the mask, it doesn't have the most pleasant scent but it leaves my hair looking so shiny and healthy, without being greasy!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your summer or festival beauty essentials? 

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Joico Smooth Cure + Moisture Recovery

If you aren't signed up to The Blogger Programme then I would recommend it if you are a blogger! It's a great way to work with brands although you have to be prepared to wait as there are so many bloggers and I'm sure the brands/PR's have so many replies to read! I was lucky enough to work with Joico, which is a high end haircare brand that I have wanted to try for so long! 

First up, I was kindly sent the *Joico Moisture Recovery Leave In Moisturiser For Dry Hair (£8.75, 300ml) which claims to give instant light hydration and frizz control as well as detangling the hair. I have been using it through the ends and mid lengths of my hair almost every time I was wash my hair and I feel as though it gives my hair a boost of moisture without leaving it weighed down, greasy or heavy which is amazing. It is quick and easy to use even though the bottle is huge and the mist is very fine so it covers the hair evenly; it also doesn't really have a scent. The product does help  to detangle my thick hair and it also helps to reduce frizz. I think the price is very reasonable considering how effective the product is and how much you get for your money - this one bottle will last a very long time, in my opinion. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Lastly, I have the *Joico Smooth Cure Thermal Styling Protectant For Curly/Frizzy/Coarse Hair (£10.35, 150ml) which I have to say I haven't been using as often as I don't use heat on my hair all the time but when I do I have been using this heat protectant spray. It claims to smooth, soften and protect against heat and humidity. Firstly, I love the packaging, the colour is gorgeous and it is quick and easy to use. However, the spray isn't fine or very even so I have been spraying it onto my hair brush or into my hands, then smoothing it throughout my hair. Also I am not a fan of the scent, it has an artificial watermelon scent which reminds me of cheap haircare I used as a teenager. That being said, I think it is a good heat protectant; it does smooth my hair and I feel like my hair is being protected as I do notice a difference when I don't use this product. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Overall, I am quite impressed, especially with the leave in moisturiser and I definitely want to try more from both ranges; the smooth cure range contains a sulphate free shampoo which I may have to try as I'm trying to look after my hair more in 2015! I have also heard a lot of bloggers and youtubers rave about the K-Pak range, I think Fleur De Force featured that range in a few videos. I would recommend both products although if you don't like fruity/strong smelling hair products when maybe skip the thermal protectant. 

Have you tried these products or any other haircare from Joico? 

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June + July Summer Favourites

Today's post is a little overdue and it is going to be fairly long as well so grab a cup of tea or coffee as I'm going to be reviewing all of the beauty and lifestyle products I've been loving over the past two months. I've been lucky over the past couple of months that I've received so many fantastic new products from haircare and skincare to drinks and SPF as well as my current favourite t-shirt!

*Dr Botanicals Cocoa and Coconut Superfood Face Mask (£9)

Let's start with the travel mini's I've received recently and that I've been using (and loving) over the past couple of months. I have tried quite a few products from Dr Botanicals and I've loved all of them so I knew I'd like this mask too. The mini size is ideal for travelling or if you just want to try something from the brand before potentially buying a larger size.

The mask is designed to hydrate and revive the skin with a tonne of natural ingredients such as cacao butter and coconut oil. Even during the heatwave we have been suffering through in the UK, my skin can still be a little dry at times so a hydrating mask is perfect - especially after sun exposure. It is a quick, easy and fuss free mask that is very hydrating and nourishing.

*Collossol Eau De Lait Water Milk Makeup Remover (£9.50, 100ml)

Another skincare favourite is this makeup remover from Collossol which is a French skincare brand - it's a new brand to me but this product has been available in France since the 1950's. It seems to be a combination of a traditional micellar water and a cleansing milk as it has a milky look but on the skin it is non-existent. It is cruelty free and vegan which is fantastic!

I've been using it on a cotton pad to remove my makeup and sometimes in the morning as a quick and easy no-rinse cleanser. It has a very distinctive scent which is very floral and powdery with a hint of citrus that I find quite dated and if you don't like scented products then it might not be for you but I don't mind the scent overall. It removes my base makeup, brows and powders easily and gently but it doesn't seem to be able to fully remove my waterproof mascara sadly, otherwise it would be my new go-to easy cleanser.

*Arbonne RE9 Advanced Overnight Face Jelly (£36, 50ml)

My final skincare favourite is from a brand I haven't really tried before, Arbonne. I've noticed other bloggers reviewing and liking their products but this is my first experience of their skincare and I'm impressed. The Arbonne Overnight Face Jelly is a night moisturiser crossed with an overnight face mask and as with most of the products within today's post, it is cruelty free and vegan!

It has the same packaging design as the amazing Ark Skincare Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser - I love the packaging! It has such a refreshing gel like texture and it leaves my skin feeling not only smooth and moisturised but also refreshed and soothed so it's ideal after sun exposure or if your skin is feeling a little dry, tight or uncomfortable and needs a little extra TLC this summer.

*Joico K-Pak Conditioner and Colour Therapy Treatment 

Joico is a brand I've wanted to try since I started blogging back in the carefree days of 2012 (which now seems like a lifetime ago) and luckily I've been sent a few of their products over the years. I have tried the K-Pak range previously and loved it so I knew I'd like using the conditioner and treatment, the latter I haven't tried before.

The conditioner is designed for damaged hair which after colouring mine for ten years is definitely the case, although it doesn't seem to be too much of a problem now. The conditioner is ideal for my dry, thick hair and it manages to make it smoother, less frizzy (the humidity is making my frizzy hair even worse!) and softer which is always a good thing! I've only tried the treatment once and so far it's a great product that provides the same benefits as the conditioner but on a deep level. I cannot recommend Joico products enough, from their K-Pak range to their incredible colour butters.

*Leighton Denny Summer Dream Hand and Nail Cream (£9)

Despite the heatwave we've been having in the UK recently, my hands are still quite dry although not as dry as they were when I had eczema on my hands - rather than using hand cream countless times per day, now I only need to use it once or twice. I've been a fan of Leighton Denny polishes for years, since my aunties first introduced me to the brand in my teens but I haven't tried anything other than the polishes.

The hand cream contains essential oils to leave the skin protected and supple without a greasy residue. The scent is very subtle and to me, it is very clean and fresh. I've been using up a couple of other hands creams I've had in my bag before using this one and now I don't want to use any others as this Leighton Denny hand cream is perfect. It absorbs almost instantly, there is no greasy feeling and it leaves my skin incredibly smooth and soft. If you're looking for a hand cream for the summer, definitely give this one a go.

*Lee Stafford Keep It Clean Pink Clay Dry Shampoo (£5.49, 200ml)

I've already reviewed the shampoo and conditioner from the Lee Stafford 'keep it clean' range within my Latest In Beauty post but today I'm recommending the dry shampoo from the same range. I love the packaging and appearance of the entire range and as far as I know, the dry shampoo (and potentially the rest of the range?) is cruelty free and vegan.

I've been using the dry shampoo during the heatwave we've been having as even though my hair tends to be relatively presentable for three days before it needs washing, I've need to use dry shampoo everyday to make my hair look a little less...horrific during the summer. Unlike my beloved Colab dry shampoo, this one does have a white tint to it but when massaged into the hair, it isn't noticeable, thankfully.

The dry shampoo works wonders on my hair and it might actually take over from Colab as my favourite dry shampoo as the effects are instant and I only need one application for my hair to look far less greasy, whereas I might need a couple of applications of the Colab dry shampoo to have the same effect. One thing I noticed on the bottle is that it suggests to apply the dry shampoo at night and sleep with it in your hair; I tried it and it worked so well!

*Vitage Skin Defence SPF 30 (£26, 100ml)

I have to admit that I'm not the most diligent when it comes to applying SPF, especially as I live in the UK and we rarely see the sun, particularly in Manchester. However, since getting more tattoos, I want to protect them from the sun as much as possible as sun damage is one of the main causes of tattoo fading. I tried a few products from Vitage last year and loved them, especially their eye cream so I had high hopes for their SPF.

I think one of the main reasons I put off using SPF is because of my childhood memories of suncream as being sticky, greasy and thoroughly unpleasant but thankfully the Vitage Skin Defence SPF isn't greasy or heavy on the skin. It also absorbs very quickly, it doesn't leave a white tint or residue and it has the traditional sun cream scent which I have to admit that I love!

*Pago Cloudy Apple Juice 

Now onto a couple of my lifestyle favourites from the past few weeks! First up is the perfect healthy heatwave drink from Pago. A couple of years ago I reviewed their rhubarb and pear juice which I loved and included within a mocktail recipe post which you can read for summer cocktail or mocktail ideas for picnics, summer parties or BBQ's.

I was kindly sent a crate of their delicious juice in the cloudy apple flavour and it's safe to say that they didn't last a week...they are so delicious! Each glass bottle contains 100% cloudy apple juice with vitamin C. It is directly pressed and unfiltered so it maintains the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. I love fruit juice so I knew I'd love these and they turned out to be the perfect refreshing heatwave drink!

*Jesmundo Vegan T-Shirt (£15.99)

Last but definitely not least is probably my new favourite t-shirt! I was kindly sent a slogan t-shirt from Jesmundo and naturally I had to choose their 'vegan' t-shirt which I chose in a size Medium. I'm generally a UK 8 to 10 and an XS or S in clothing but I chose a Medium for this t-shirt and I'm so glad that I did as the sizes definitely seem to run small. If you want this t-shirt, I'd recommend sizing up, especially as the t-shirt is more on the fitted size already.

The Medium was the perfect size for me and I'm so happy with the fit! I find it very difficult to shop for t-shirts as most white t-shirts are see-through or the t-shirt is too long on my petite frame but thankfully this one is perfect. I also like the quality which is much nicer than other slogan t-shirts I have. Additionally, the simple design fits my style and even though you might not be able to see from the photographs, the colour is an off-white which I think it more flattering than a stark white t-shirt.

I couldn't be happier with my t-shirt from Jesmundo and if you're looking for a unique, simple slogan t-shirt then I cannot recommend them enough. They have such a wide range of styles as well as colours and sizes to choose from. I also liked the social media inspired designs. You can use the code: 4FOR3 to get, you guessed it, four t-shirt for the price of three.

Have you tried any of the products I've reviewed? What have been your favourite beauty or lifestyle items from June or July? 

*Gifted

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Christmas Gifts: His and Hers 2019

Today's post is another christmas gift guide and this time round I'll be focusing on a few gifts for both men and women but obviously gifts don't have to be for specific genders. Thanks so much to all of the brands in today's post! If you are looking for Christmas gifts for friends and family, I hope this gift guide helps. You can check out my previous gift guides for more ideas including my previous mens gift guide, womens gift guide and my stocking fillers gift guide.

*Offblak Tea - Mint and Chocolate Tea (from £4.99)

Let's start with a delicious gift idea! I love green, black and herbal tea but most flavours are quite similar and generic but the flavours by Offblak tea are a little different! I was very kindly sent the mint and chocolate flavoured tea which came very colourfully packaged and I think it would make a great winter warming stocking filler for anyone who loves tea or it could be part of a Christmas food hamper for in-laws, friends or family. You can buy individual packs such as the one I have or you can subscribe to their tea subscription service. I love this flavour combination and it did feel like a dessert in tea form but if it doesn't sound like a flavour your gift recipient would love, they do have lots of other favours to choose from including: strawberry and pink pepper, orange and jasmine and blueberry and mint.

*Society Socks (three month subscription from £44) 

I think that socks are a quintessential gift for christmas, usually for dads and grandads, so they can be viewed as safe and potentially boring gifts but I think that the socks on offer from Society Socks are perfect non-boring socks that would be great for dads, brothers, friends and grandads. As with the Offblak tea I've mentioned, you can buy the socks individually, as a pack or you can purchase a subscription in which your gift recipient will receive two pairs of socks every month. I love giving practical gifts that look amazing so this option ticks all of the boxes for me.

They have a range of mens and womens socks, all of which have unique, fun and cute designs to choose from. They ship worldwide and you can even make custom socks too. Also for each subscription purchased, two pairs of socks will be donated to charity on your behalf! I think a sock subscription from Society Socks would make a great stocking filler gift, they can be added to a larger present or they can be included within a hygge christmas hamper.

*Life Of Spices Collections (from £13.95 each)

Next up onto a great gift for foodies and for those who love to cook and experiment with spices! Life of Spices have a great range of spice collections which can be bought as individual tubs or as a collection such as the two that I was very kindly sent. I have the 'Italian Collection' and the 'American Rub Collection', both of which contain individual tubs of various spice blends. herbs and salt that can be used for a range of recipes and meals. All of the spice sets are suitable for vegetarians and vegans!

The Italian Collection (£10.95) contains three tubs including a range of dried herbs and salt, all of which have great names such as 'the Italian job'. The American collection contains four tubs (£15.95) including a variety of rubs and spices that can be used for traditional American and BBQ recipes. I think this set is a great gift idea as your gift recipient can make whatever recipes they want with the spices and herbs as well as encouraging them to try new spices and new recipes. If you want to purchase one or more of the collections, you can get a free tin with each 3, 5 or 6 tin collections. Use the code: LOS-NDBLG for your free tin at the checkout - it is valid until the 20th December.

*Make Your Own Chilli Sauce (£23.95)

Sticking with the food theme is a practical gift for those who love chillis and spicy food! I haven't seen a kit like this before where you make your own chilli sauce and I think it is a fantastic idea as most gifts for adults are a little boring but this one allows you to make something that you can also use and share. The kit comes with everything you will need to make a smokey chipotle sauce and a mango mortia sauce. The ingredients allow you to make six bottles (150ml each) of the sauces so you have more to share and enjoy over the festive and new year period.

I know that my dad will absolutely love this gift set, especially as he loves to cook and make new recipes. I also think it is perfect at this time of the year as Christmas is the time to share so you can share the chilli sauce with friends and family. I love giving practical gifts that look unique so this one ticks all of the boxes as it is also a gift that keeps on giving. All Things Brighton Beautiful, the site where you can buy this kit, has a great Black Friday sale on which is still live if you're looking for unique christmas gifts for all ages.

*Frank Cherry Bomb Lip Duo (£15.95)

Now moving onto a few 'womens' gifts that I think would make great stocking fillers and christmas gifts this year. First up is a brand I've heard great things about, especially their coffee body scrubs, but I haven't tried anything from them! I love the look of this cute little lip duo and it is ideal for the winter months as I think most people suffer with dry lips over the colder months. The kit comes with a cherry lip tint balm and a lip scrub, both of which sound lovely! There are quite a few variations of this kit to choose from as well as lots of other lovely beauty, bath and body gift sets on LookFantastic.

*Joico Weekend Hair Dry Shampoo 

A newly launched product that would be a great stocking filler is the new dry shampoo from Joico. Joico is a brand I've loved for years, from their shampoo and conditioners to their amazing colour butters so I'm always happy to try more of their products. I use dry shampoo often as I try to only wash my hair once or twice a week so dry shampoo is a must! I've been using this new mini dry shampoo for the past week or so and I love it! I'm not sure if it will replace my beloved Colab dry shampoo just yet but it's a very close second! It's well worth trying if you're gift recipient uses dry shampoo often as I find that they can be a little hit or miss but this one is fantastic.

*Color Wow Dream Smooth Kit (£38.40 - sale)

I personally love to receive kits like this one for Christmas as I love to try new haircare products/brands and a kit is great way of trying a few new product from a brand. The Color Wow kit contains the colour security shampoo and conditioner as well as the dream coat supernatural spray. I've used the shampoo and conditioner from the kit a couple of times now and I love them as both products leave my hair super smooth, soft and detangled which is impressive considering how Hagrid-like my hair always wants to be! This kit, along with many other great gift ideas, are on sale as part of the LookFantastic Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Use the code: CYBER to save an extra 25%!

*Slip Silk Eye Mask - Pink (£50)

As some of you might know if you've been following my blog for the past few months, I had laser eye surgery in the summer and since then my eye have been a little more sensitive to light which has become a minor problem when I'm trying to sleep so I bought the Slip Silk Eye Mask a couple of months ago and I've been using and loving it since then. Naturally I was very happy when another arrived as a very sweet and generous surprise parcel! I know that it is a little pricy but I have genuinely been loving mine and it helps me fall asleep so much quicker - I cannot recommend it enough.

*Sugar Coated Vegan Sugar Wax (£4.99 - sale)

My next practical stocking filler gift idea is great for those who are interesting in sugar waxing or alternative forms of hair removal. It's a bit of an unusual gift idea but as I said, I do like to give practical gifts and I think that if you do know someone who likes products like this, then it would be a great gift either as a little stocking filler or as part of a christmas beauty hamper. I've been interesting in sugar wax for a while and I did try sugar wax strips years ago (and they were quite impressive) so I can't wait to try this product. Check out their Black Friday sale for great deals on sugar wax kits. 

*Lee Stafford Blow Out Brush (£12.99)

Last but not least for today's gift guide is another new product and it's from a very nostalgic haircare brand for me, Lee Stafford. I used to use so many of the Lee Stafford products as a teenager so whenever I see the brand or their products, it's instantly nostalgic! They have recently launched a range of new hair brushes, including this blow dry brush which is vegan friendly. There are so many brushes to choose from in the range such as the handbag brush, shampoo massage brush (which intrigues me) and the in-shower comb, among others. I think they'd make great stocking fillers or again as part of a larger beauty or pampering hamper.

Make sure you watch the video on 1080p!

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of my gift ideas? 

*Gifted

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2017 Beauty Favourites

It's finally time to publish my 2017 beauty favourites post which was so difficult to narrow down but here it is! I have some brand new favourites and some from 2016 as well which have been consistently my favourite products so I couldn't leave them out even if they have appeared in other favourites posts. Let's start with the best category, makeup:

Makeup

I'm not going to rank any of the products but one of my very top favourites has to be the fantastic Temple Spa Concealer which was sent as a surprise blogger mail package and I've loved it since I received it. If you have dry skin as I do then you'll know how difficult it can be to use a foundation or concealer that doesn't emphasis dryness which this one doesn't so it's been perfect for the colder months!

I have two palettes that I've been loving in 2017, one of which is an old favourite and it's the Too Faced Semi Sweet Palette which has pretty much everything I need in one palette! I've also been loving TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Palette which is great too and I cannot recommend them enough. A mascara that has wowed me this year is the DHC Double Protection Mascara as it is so gentle and easy to remove with just warm water.

Lastly for the base products, the first is the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge (from face.co.uk) which is a great alternative to the very expensive Beauty Blender. My favourite foundation of the past couple of years as been the Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation and I ran out of it while I was half way through my makeup for New Years eve! Now that I'm having to use other foundations, I'm realising how much I loved it and how wonderful it made my skin look. The final makeup is my much loved Essence Fixing Powder which has been a favourite of mine for the past two to three years.

Skincare 

I only have two new skincare favourites this year, the first being the Eucerin AtoControl Cream which I'm using now and I'm loving it for my eczema prone skin and secondly the Merci Handy Facial Mists which were essentials during the ridiculously how summer days we had last year. I've also been loving all of my Antipodes skincare and I cannot recommend their products enough!

Bodycare & Misc 

My final category is body care, haircare and miscellaneous products but I'll start with the most impressive semi-permanent hair colour I've ever used which is the Joico Colour Butters! 2017 was the year that I bleached the ends of my hair and dyed it a range of colours. The Jocio Colour Butters were the most incredibly vibrant, quick (less than ten minutes to develop) and long lasting semi-permanent hair colours ever!

For my other haircare favourites, I've loved all of the Colab dry shampoos I've tried and I've just bought a few more as they're fantastic. I was very kindly sent the GHD Ruby Styler last year and it's been one of the few few hair tools I've used and I cannot recommend GHDs enough.

Finally onto the bodycare products, a couple of essentials that I loved in 2017 include the Organii Lavender Liquid Soap which smells heavenly, the Cetraben Lotion that is a miracle product for the eczema on my hands and the Bomb Cosmetics Hand Treatment which is one of my favourite and creams ever!

Another heavenly product has to be the Crabtree and Evelyn Lavender and Espresso Body Butter which is the most relaxing and unique smelling body butter and one of the most moisturising. I also have to mention the Feather and Down Pillow Spray which I've been using for a while now and I cannot recommend it enough and finally for my favourites, the Lush Get Closer Dusting Powder which is a great multi-use talc.

Honourable Mentions

I obviously have to include a few honourable mentions in this post as there were so many wonderful products from 2017 such as the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, the Antipodes Manuka Honey Eye Cream, the Essence All Eyes On Me Waterproof Mascara, Eylure Brow Gel and the Bumble and Bumble Pre-a-Powder.

Have you tried any of these products? What were your favourites from 2017? 

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March Beauty Favourites

March has been a bit of a strange month to say the least, especially as towards the end of March the UK went into lockdown which has been such a bizarre and surreal experience. I was unsure what to do when it comes to blogging as most of my freelance work and blog related emails have decreased dramatically but my blog has always been an escape for me (my blog's 8th birthday is coming up in May - be prepared for a birthday giveaway) and I hope it can be for those who read my blog as well.

Today's post is my short favourites post featuring the main skincare and haircare favourites I've loved over the month of March. I have an upcoming post including a plethora of items that I have loved using throughout the winter months including so many makeup favourites so say tuned for that post which should hopefully be live on my blog at the end of the week or early next week. You can always follow me on instagram (@ofbeautyand) to see sneak peeks of my upcoming posts and my blogger mail.

*SKN-RG Diamond Blue Cleanser (£29, 60ml)

Let's start with the cleanser that I've been using and loving for the past couple of weeks. SKN-RG is a  brand I have tried previously as I reviewed their fantastic Evolution Serum (£65) back in 2019 which I highly recommend so I was excited to try another product from the brand especially as I love their ethos and focus on cruelty free products and sustainability.

The Diamond Blue cleanser hasn't launched yet but here's a little information about the product and its ingredient list. It contains diamond blue plankton, botanical enzymes, soapberry and hyaluronic acid which combine to trap pollutants without stripping the skin, gently cleanse, resurface the skin and provide hydration.

The product itself is blue in colour and it has a gel-like texture which feels very refreshing and smoothing on the skin. It is a lovely cleanser to use, especially for the spring and summer month as it leaves my skin feeling throughly cleansed and smoother without it feeling dry or stripped. If you are looking for a luxe and effective cleanser, check out the SKN-RG Diamond Blue Cleanser when it is launched. I'm sure you'll be seeing this product on my blog again in the upcoming months. Don't forget to use the code: SKN15 to get 15% off at the checkout!

*Botanicals Nourish Moisturiser (£24.50)

My second March skincare favourite is a lovely natural facial moisturiser from Botanicals which is another brand I've been lucky enough to try on my blog a couple of times before. The moisturiser contains lots of organic ingredients including shea butter, green tea, rose geranium, rosehip and palmarosa oil. The ingredients are all cruelty free and sustainable as well as being suitable for vegans; for more information about the brand itself and the ingredients used, check out their website.

The moisturiser is minimally but beautifully packaged and designed; I love the pump dispenser as it makes it more convenient to use. It has a gorgeous spring-like floral scent that I adore and it makes me want to use the product constantly! The moisturiser itself has a silky texture and it feels very nourishing on the skin without making it feel very greasy or heavy. My skin has been loving this gentle, hydrating and fast absorbing moisturiser so much and I would highly recommend it.

 *Joico Weekend Hair Dry Shampoo (£16, 255ml)

Last but not least is a dry shampoo that I've gone through a couple of bottles of over the past few months and it's one of my favourites for March as I've been trying to wash my hair a little less (to slow down colour fade) and this dry shampoo has been a staple recently. I have a few dry shampoo recommendations but I think this one is fantastic for all hair colours and types. I never used to like dry shampoo as it either left a white tone to my hair or it wasn't very effective but thankfully this one ticks all of the boxes for a great dry shampoo for second, third and sometimes even fourth day hair.

Those are a few of the products I've been loving recently but stay tuned for my rather massive winter beauty favourites post which will be live soon! 

Have you tried any of these products? Which beauty products have you been loving in March? 

*gifted

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